keen close up, tracked leader 4f out, wide into straight 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra and slightly hampered close home
soon led, headed over 5f out, tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch in rear, wide and headway to track leaders over 3f out, pushed along and wide into straight 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed close home
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
raced wide close up, pushed along and lost place4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, led over 5f out, wide into straight 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, driven and rallied to lead again close home when edged right
Several arrive in top form including Melakaz, who beat Koeman and had Creationist further behind when completing a double here last month. He’s upped in class and raised 3lb today and MARION’S BOY (NAP) only missed out on a four-timer by a head in this grade over course and distance last time so Roger Teal’s charge gets another chance. Desert Emperor failed to land the odds attempting to land a treble on the Tapeta though his earlier victories came over a longer trip while Finniston Farm looks up against it returning from a very long absence.
Desert Emperor 4-6fav (9-10) Dwelt, held up in close 3rd, headway near side of group into 2nd over 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Society Red (9-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Finniston Farm 66-1 (8-9) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 17, 7 1/2l behind Euchen Glen (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Marion's Boy (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Held up, headway on inner over 1f out, not clear run briefly just inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, hd behind Dingle (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Koeman 13-2 (9-11) Held up in touch in mid-division on inside, headway tracking leaders halfway, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Melakaz (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Creationist (USA) 25-1 (9-11) Stumbled start, chased leaders on inside, went 2nd 5f out, pushed along and lost 2nd 2f out, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Melakaz (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Melakaz (IRE) 10-3jfav (8-9) Tracked leader 3f, chased leaders, switched right home turn, quickened to lead inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Koeman (9-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
